Geraint Thomas retains Volta ao Algarve lead as Tony Martin wins stage three

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas retained his overall lead of the Volta ao Algarve after finishing third on stage three’s individual time trial, which was won by Tony Martin.

Martin, the former three-time world time-trial champion, stopped the clock on a rolling 19km course from Vila do Bispo to Cabo de Sao Vicente in 21min 51sec, less than one second ahead of runner-up Adriano Malori and three seconds ahead of Thomas.

The result sees the Welshman maintain his 30-second lead at the top of the general classification, with Martin now second overall and his Etixx – Quick-Step team mate Michal Kwiatkowski, who was fourth on the day, now third, 39 seconds back.

Thomas had been nine seconds ahead of Martin at the 10km intermediate split but was unable to maintain his pace in the latter half of the test.

It was nevertheless an impressive performance and a good result in the bigger picture given that he extended his lead over his main general classification rival, Kwiatkowski, the 2014 race winner, who was six seconds slower.

Thomas will now look to defend his lead on Saturday’s 215.7km fourth stage, which ends with a summit finish on Alto do Malhao.

Stage three result

1 Tony Martin (Ger) Etixx – Quick-Step, 21:51
2 Adriano Malori (Ita) Movistar, same time
3 Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky, +3secs
4 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Etixx – Quick-Step, +9
5 Anton Vorobyev (Rus) Katusha, +19
6 Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp) Movistar, +26
7 Rein Taaramae (Est) Astana, st
8 Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana, +32
9 Sergei Chernetckii (Rus) Katusha, +34
10 Tiago Machado (Por) Katusha, +37

General classification

1 Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky, 9:34: 50
2 Tony Martin (Ger) Etixx – Quick-Step, +30secs
3 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Etixx – Quick-Step, +39
4 Rein Taaramae (Est) Astana, +53
5 Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana, +1:02
6 Sergei Chernetckii (Rus) Katusha, +1:04
7 Tiago Machado (Por) Katusha, +1:07
8 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx – Quick-Step, +1:31
9 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky, +1:33
10 Ruben Fernandez (Esp) Movistar, +1:38